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Cautions for Refrigerant Leaks
CAUTIONS FOR REFRIGERANT LEAKS
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Refrigerant Concentration Limit (RCL) Calculations
To calculate total refrigerant amount per system:
Cautions for Refrigerant Leaks/Introduction
ASHRAE Standards 15-2010 and 34-2010 offer guidelines that address refrigerant safety and the maximum allowable concentration of refrig-
erant in an occupied space. Refrigerant will dissipate into the atmosphere, but a certain volume of air is required for this to occur safely. For
R410A refrigerant, the maximum allowable concentration is 0.026 lbs./ft
3
per 1,000 ft
3
of air in an occupied space. Buildings with twenty-four
(24) hour occupancy allow half of that concentration.
1
ASHRAE Standards 15 and 34 assume that if a system develops a leak, its entire refrigerant charge will dump into the area where the leak
occurs. To meet ASHRAE Standards 15 and 34, calculate the refrigerant concentration that may occur in the smallest room volume on
the system, and compare the results to the maximum allowable concentration number (see following pages for information on how to calcu-
late the refrigerant concentration).
1
Also consult state and local codes in regards to refrigerant safety.
Verify the maximum refrigerant concentration level in the space where
the indoor unit will be mounted meets the concentration limit for the ap-
plication. Failure to do so can cause health hazards and bodily injury to
occupants of the space.
1
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engi-
neers, Inc. (ASHRAE). Atlanta, GA. ASHRAE, Inc. Information about
ASHRAE Standard 15-2010 / 34-2010 and addenda current as of the
date of this publication.
Take appropriate actions at the end of HVAC equipment life to recover,
recycle, reclaim or destroy R410A refrigerant according to applicable US
EPA rules.
To calculate the potential refrigerant concentration level (RCL):
1. Measure the occupied space dimensions (in feet).
2. Calculate the cubic foot volume of air in the smallest occupied
space. (To obtain a detailed overview of the RCL, perform the
same calculations to the second smallest zone, the third smallest
zone until the RCL is obtained for all zones. Also, pay special
attention to areas such as basements, etc., where refrigerant
cannot dissipate easily.)
3. Divide the refrigerant charge of the Single Zone system serving
the area in pounds by the results of step 1.
4. If the calculation indicates that the potential refrigerant concen-
tration level is higher than the allowed RCL, increase the cubic
volume of the smallest occupied space or modify the piping
system design.
5. The allowable RCL limit for most applications must be equal to
or less than 0.026 lbs./ft
3
. However, in special occupied spaces,
such as hospitals and nursing homes, where occupants may have
limited mobility, the allowable RCL limit is cut in half. See ASHRAE
Standard 34-2007 and local codes for detailed information.
1
Amount of
Factory-Charged
Refrigerant per
Outdoor Unit
Amount of
Additional
Refrigerant
Trim Charge
Total System
Refrigerant
Charge
+
=
RCL (lbs./ft
3
) =
Total System Refrigerant Charge (lbs.)
Volume of Smallest Occupied Space (ft
3
)
Refrigerant Leaks
